Beto-Cruz debates: What are viewers saying online?

Beto O’Rourke’s nickname “Beto” is Hispanic and he is not. But that’s not the issue. The real issue is the widespread mispronunciation of “Beto.”
Rachel Denny Clow, Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, left, and Democratic U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke, second from left, take part in their first debate for the Texas U.S. Senate in Dallas, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP, Pool)(Photo: Tom Fox, AP)

Immigration policy

Both candidates began the debate with their stance on immigration. O'Rourke defended his statements that the children of undocumented immigrants, called Dreamers, should be put on the path to citizenship.

But it was Cruz's stance on the policy with "legal good; illegal bad" that had debate followers tweeting their concerns.

Beto O’Rourke beat Ted Cruz on the Dreamers exchange. Cruz literally said “legal good, illegal bad,” while O’Rourke stated that not only would deporting millions of people hurt us morally, it would hurt America financially as well. #TXSenateDebate

Gun rights and mass shootings

When the discussion for pro-gun rights and the Second Amendment came up, both candidates discussed their opinions.

O'Rourke defended his call to ban sales of assault-style rifles, saying they "belong on the battlefield, not in schools and churches" and adding "thoughts and prayers are simply not going to cut it anymore."

Cruz touted his own pro-gun rights bona fides, saying even survivors of mass shootings say "gun control is not the answer."

Debate followers, on the other hand, responded with their own opinions.

If you missed the #TXSenateDebate, all you need to know is that Ted Cruz said MLK would side with him in opposing NFL athletes who kneel during the National Anthem. When asked about the shooting of unarmed Black Americans, Cruz said, “I have been to too many police funerals...” pic.twitter.com/kfiy3Y4OLA

Texas values

One of the main issues discussed during the debate was who has put Texas' interests first.

While O'Rourke stated in the debate that he was the only candidate to have visited all 254 counties in Texas, Cruz fired back stating that representing the Lone Star State is "not about doing a photo-op with reporters in tow ... but fighting for the values of the people of Texas."

The Democratic candidate's response caught the attention of some debate followers on social media.

Ted was spot on. Move to Texas and you soon understand Texas values. In Texas you can unabashedly go to church, play in the school band, wear the flag, smile at the police officer, salute the army officer, recite the pledge of allegiance and be a capitalist #TXSenateDebate

"True to Form"

At the end of the debate, moderators asked both Cruz and O'Rourke to say something positive about their opponent. While the Democratic candidate touched on his opponent's sacrifices and love for his country, Cruz compared O'Rourke's "socialist" beliefs to Vermont senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

O'Rourke's response — "true to form." Which touched a nerve with debate followers on Twitter.

Members of the audience cheer as Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and Democratic U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke prepare to take part in their first debate for the Texas U.S. Senate in Dallas, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP, Pool) Tom Fox, AP

Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, left, and Democratic U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke, second from left, take part in their first debate for the Texas U.S. Senate in Dallas, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP, Pool) Tom Fox, AP

Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, left, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, of El Paso, shake hands after their first debate for the Texas U.S. Senate on Sept. 21 in Dallas. Nathan Hunsinger/The Dallas Morning News